There are a few details, but only general ones. I've put out an e-mail to another friend in Grad School Town to ask for an address to send a card to the dead boy's parents.

They were all undergrads. I made a lot of friends with the undergrad music majors by working at the key desk and hanging out in the Strelow Lounge between classes. This guy was one of a core group of about five or six who met for lunch most days. We'd debate the weirdest things, including HuFu (human flavored tofu) and the things that one could make instruments do. He was one of the supporting ears for my bitching about Le Thesis (and earned himself a mention in the Acknowledgements page for that), and also was a test audience for the paper I presented at the Holocaust conference. And a damn fine pianist, too.

Sucks even more because he was such a fine pianist with a sharp sense of humor.

He'd just finished all his credits to graduate as a piano major. He was a fine pianist, with a true appreciation for performance theatrics to go with that.

Thanks for the hugs. I will miss him much.

It is, especially since this was one of the music crew that I ate lunch with on a regular basis and who got me through working on Le Thesis. I asked the Office of the Dean of Students if there's a place where one could send a card, but they haven't written back yet.

I have some errands to do today (including acquiring the card for his parents), so the pictures might be a little delayed.

Compounded by the acres of absolutely awful sympathy cards to be had at the drugstore, of course. I did manage to find one that wasn't totally made of syrup, but it took some doing. At least I have something to send his parents. I'm trying to think of a way to get to Grad School Town in time for the memorial service on Monday, but the bus situation is not looking good.

At least I managed to find a card for his parents that wasn't too terribly awful. I don't know if I'll be able to make it to Grad School Town for the memorial service. I really want to go, but the bus schedule does not look good.

I sent his parents a card this afternoon. I have no idea if it will make them feel better to get a card from someone they don't know, but it made me feel a little better, at least.

After a rapid exchange of e-mails with a friend in Grad School Town and a thorough examination of two bus companies, I think I'm going to be able to make it to the funeral tomorrow. I'll have to get up at 4:30, but there is a bus that will get me there in time. Small comfort.